Eidgah With Unique Hindu Link in Kanpur

Inside View of Badi Eidgah Kanpur 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Over 150- years old Badi Eidgah of Kanpur is indeed a perfect example of communal harmony. The sprawling Eidgah where more than 3 Lakh devotees assemble to offer prayers on Eid-ul-Fitr day has been under the care of a Hindu family for about eight decades. Located near Bajaria locality, the Eidgah is looked after by Bablu Kori (55).He was born inside Eidgah about 55 years ago. Prior to him, his father Mahaveer used to take care of Eidgah. Most of the trees inside Idgah were planted by Mahaveer. Bablu stays with his mother inside Idgah in a house given by the managing committee. The family proudly talks about   their three generation association with Eidgah. Bablu specifically mentions about the love and respect he gets from the managing committee members and devotees as well.’ I have never been ill-treated by anyone till date. I am just a caretaker but everyone respects me.” Bablu says.

His mother Daulat Devi (75) also has similar experiences to share .She recalled with emotion as to how the trustees of the managing committee had helped her in solemnising marriage of her two daughters. She also expresses her gratitude repeatedly to the trustees who had earmarked all the income emanating from fruits from the trees inside Eidgah for her family. Daulat says “I had landed in Idgah after my marriage with Mahaveer. Initially, I found it to be quite perplexing as to why Mahaveer was staying amidst the graves inside Eidgah but soon I also developed a bond with the place and now I wish to die here only.” She also revealed that her family has been celebrating Holi and Deepawali festivals inside Idgah and no one ever raised any objection. She also finds Idgah has a safe place to live. “Even during communal riots, the peace and tranquility of Eidgah never shattered and no trouble monger could ever muster courage to cast an ugly glance towards Eidgah” she adds.

Photograph of Hindu Family that Looks After Eiddgah 

Neither Daulat nor Bablu has forgotten Qari Muhammad Ilahi Saheb who was Imam of Eidgah.” He was a noble soul and very pious. He led the Eid prayers for many years. Unfortunately, he died last year at the age of 83.We will miss him during Eid prayers”, they said.

Bablu even claimed that Kanpur’s Eidgah was perhaps only of its kind in India as nowhere else an Eidgah is looked after by a Non-Muslim family. He is also of the view that Eidgah is most eco-friendly in view of trees inside it.’ I have seen other Idgahs but they are devoid of greenery that Kanpur one boasts of”.(References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images ) 

Imam Hasan-A Brief Sketch of His Life with Quotes

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Heartiest greetings to all Momneen on the joyous occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Hasan. He was grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad and son of Lion of Allah, Hazrat Ali and mistress of the women in both the worlds Bibi Fatima. Born in Medina, on the night of the 15th day of Ramadan, three years after the Hijra (624 AD), Imam Hasan is also known as ‘ al-Sibt, al-Syed, al-Zaki, al-Mujtaba and  al-Taqi. Historians and scholars have described his appearance as  "He had a white, reddish face. He had black eyes, smooth cheeks, thick beard, and curly, plentiful hair. His neck was as white as a jug of silver. His body was good. He had large shoulders, and big fleshy bones. He was of medium height; neither long nor short. He was handsome; the best of all people in face".

About his characteristics, Muhammad b. Ishaq said: "After the Holy Prophet, no one had a high social position as Imam Hasan had. Mats were spread out at the door of his house. When he came out and sat, the street was over crowded. So no one of Allah's creatures could pass to show respect for him. When he knew that, he stood up and entered his house. So the people could pass." No one was more like the Apostle of Allah, than Imam Hasan in form, manner, and nobility.

He  was the best of all people in worshipping and refraining from the life in this world. His face used to run pale while offering prayers out of fear of Allah. He gave people from his property twice in the way of Allah and  mentioned the Almighty in all conditions whether pleasant or otherwise. Imam performed Hajj on foot twenty-five times. He always wept while mentioning death, grave, Paradise, fire of hell or  Pul –E-Sirat-the bridge on the road to Paradise.   

In view of his exemplary behavior, he was a role model to people. Imam was respected by one and all.  Despite his exalted status, he was very kind and generous to people. Once, a Bedouin came to Imam and asked for help. He gave all the twenty thousand dirhams kept in the safe to Bedouin. One day Imam saw a black boy, eating a piece of bread and giving a piece of bread to his dog. So Imam Hasan asked the boy  "Why are you feeding the dog? The boy replied “I feel shame of my dog when I eat and do not feed him," .Then, Imam told boy to stay at the place till he returns .Imam approached the master of the boy, bought him and the garden where he lived. Later on, Imam freed the boy and gifted the garden to him as well so that he lives comfortably rest of his life. There are numerous other examples of his generosity besides the two referred above.

After the martyrdom of Imam Ali, Imam Hasan became Caliph. His caliphate lasted for a short time in view of the nefarious designs of those who were least interested in religion and wanted bloodshed for the sake of throne. He preferred a peace treaty in accordance with the teachings of Islam and abdicated his Caliphate in 41 A.H. He returned to Medina. Even though he dedicated himself to worshipping, charity and guidance of the community, the hostile regime did not allow him to live long. He was poisoned to death in 50 A.H. Before attaining martyrdom, he told his brother Imam Hussain “ I am leaving you and meeting my Lord. I have been given poison to drink, and I have spewed my liver into the basin. I am aware of the person who poisoned me and from where I have been made a subject to this deceitful action. I will oppose him before Allah, the Great and Almighty." He wanted to be buried close to his grandfather’s grave but followers of the Caliph Muwaiya did not allow it to happen. As Imam had willed to his younger brother not to shed blood even if his burial close to the grave of his grandfather is denied, Imam Hussain buried him in Baqi cemetery. Some of his golden quotes that are a constant source of guidance even today for mankind are :

• I wonder about the person who contemplates about his nutrition but he does not consider (the food of) his intellect. Thus, he avoids of what hurts him in his stomach but he lets his mind to be filled with what destroys him.
• The height of intelligence is associating with people amicably.
• One who lacks intelligence has no decorum, and one who lacks determination has no magnanimity, and one who has no modesty has no religion.
• Do not be hasty in punishing (someone's) sin, and leave (room) between the two (fault and punishment) for apology.
• The most preferable adornment is graceful manners.
• The best wealth is contentment and the worst poverty is humility.
• Clemency is suppression of anger and self-restraint.
• Generosity is giving in prosperity and adversity.
• The annihilation of people lies in three things: Arrogance, Greed and envy. Arrogance causes destruction of the religion and because of it Satan was cursed, and Greed is the enemy of one's soul, and because of it Adam was expelled from Paradise, and envy is the guide to wickedness, and because of it Qabil killed Habil.

(References available on request .Photo Courtesy -Google Images)

Hazrat Khadija's Death Anniversary Observed in Fatehpur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Fatehpur is an old district of Uttar Pradesh province of India with a small population of Imamis. But they are in no way inferior to the cities with heavy population of Imamis in terms of organizing Mahfils and majalis to mark birth and death anniversaries of those supported the cause of the Holy Prophet.

Keeping the tradition, Imamis of Fatehpur organized a majlis –e-Aza on the eve of the death anniversary of  Mohsina-E-Islam , Hazrat Khadija at Imambargah Ali Nagar .Addressing the Majlis, Maulana Abid sahib offered heartfelt condolences to the Muslim Ummah and urged the audience to increase level of awareness about the personality and deeds of Hazrat Khadija. He described it essential in the modern era in the wake of repeated attempts being made by vested interests to brand Islam as an anti-women religion.

Maulana said that Hazrat Khadija was not only first and most beloved wife of the Holy Prophet. Rather, it was her financial support that contributed greatly to the success of Prophet’s mission. She doled out money at a time when Muslims were facing economic boycott.

She was the one through whom Allah chose to gift the Holy Prophet with the best of all daughters, the Chief of the Women of the Worlds, Hazrat Fatima Zahra. Maulana said “Husband of Bibi Fatima, Maula Ali also played a pivotal role in the success of Islam against the powerful enemies. He was martyred in Ramadan by a Khariji whose ugly successors are trying to hold the world by ransom through terrorist activities.”

After his martyrdom, Bibi Fatima’s sons Imam Hasan and Hussain served the cause of the grandfather. At Karbala, Imam Hussain offered sublime sacrifice to save the true tenets of Islam. Imam Zain-Ul-Abedeen and his successors also carried on the mission in trying circumstances and hostile regimes.

Those who know Islamic history are well aware of the fact that blood of Holy Prophet and Hazrat Khadeeja ran in the veins of Bibi Fatima. It was this pure blood that propelled the clam of Bani Hashim to support Imam Hussain despite knowing that death was certain.Later Imams also always remembered that how Hazrat Khadeeja had helped Islam and hence, they always strived to save true Islam.

Maulana said that it would be befitting to highlight the exalted status of Hazrat Khadija on her death anniversary as her character can serve as a role model for Muslim women of all times.(Based on the inputs given by a resident of Fatehpur Mr. Jaun who works in Fathepur Courts.)